An Orrick man has been charged in a fire that killed his two young sons.
Randy Garrison is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree abandonment of a child and one count of first-degree arson.
Garrison’s sons, Roger, 3, and Ashton, 1, died in the fire.
Garrison told 41 Action News in 2013 he came home from work and then went to sleep. He then awoke to his home on fire and tried to get to his sons. Garrison also said a bungee cord prevented him from getting into the bedroom where his sons were located.
According to court records, when Garrison was interviewed by law enforcement he gave differing accounts of what happened. Garrison told police in multiple accounts he woke up to his children screaming, fell into the fire after tripping in the home and how he attempted to pry at the walls to get his sons out.
Court records say first responders were interviewed and said Garrison at first said the children were in the residence but later said he didn’t know where they were. An EMT who treated Garrison said he wasn’t having trouble breathing and another said Garrison didn’t appear to have any burns to his feet, body or clothing.
According to court records, in later interviews with law enforcement Garrison again changed his account of what happened and the actual size of the fire.
In a motion the Ray County prosecutor requested a special prosecutor be appointed for this case. The Missouri State Attorney General's Office has agreed to step in.
No one answered the door at the trailer on the property at 9600 block of Shach Creek Road where the fire broke out. You can still see charred remnants from the road.
On the phone with 41 Action News on Thursday, Garrison's father defended his son and vehemently denied Garrison would hurt his sons.
Prosecutors have requested a bond of $250,000.
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Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com
